Lying on Delia's couch, I kept my eyes closed for a little while longer so I could enjoy that lingering, 7 a.m. peace. I'd put my sleeping schedule in order, at last. That first night when, knowing that John would be alright, I'd fallen asleep on Max's bed - however embarrassing the situation - had been utter bliss. I'd slept throughout the whole night. The couch wasn't quite as comfortable, but sleeping on it with Cricket, topped sleeping on my own bed without John.
I had just resigned myself to wake up and face the day when I heard a careful key turning on the door, followed by the sound of sneaky footsteps.
Max stopped on the doorstep when I sat up, looking at him over the back of the couch.
"Oh. You're there," he uttered.
"Don't worry, I'll be gone in no time." I eyed him up and down. His clothes were crumpled, as if he'd slept with them on. Or maybe, I wondered, with them off. I could smell alcohol and some kind of man cologne from where I stood, which was odd, as I'd never noticed Max using any kind of perfume before. All put together, I didn't like the image it conjured. Delia's protective streak must have been rubbing off on me.
"Oh, I don't mind you being there," Max grumbled. "Delia's gone, right?"
"Yeah, she left about half an hour ago. Are you ok?"
He wasn't very sure-footed. Wobbly, in fact.
"Yeah, fine. Just hungover... Need a shower."
I watched as Max dragged himself up the stairs before grabbing my phone to text Delia.
Max's here. He's ok.
She replied seconds later. At the same time, the water started to run on the bathroom upstairs.
He's drunk, isn't he?
I rolled my eyes. My finger hovered over the letters for a while before answering.
No, I don't think so.
Technically, being drunk and being hungover are not the same thing. Besides, there was no need to make her worry further.
Since the water kept cascading upstairs, I got up to prepare breakfast. There wasn't much hunger in me these days but Max could use some food.
I made a huge pile of pancakes, squeezed some oranges for juice and prepared the coffee. After setting the table, I could still hear the water. That was turning out to be one long shower.
"Max!" I called out, peeking my head out of the kitchen.
No answer.
I put the pancakes inside the oven, so Cricket wouldn't get too interested in them, and went upstairs.
The door to the bathroom was closed shut, white slivers of vapor rolling from underneath it. I knocked.
"Max?"
From inside, only the sharp sound of pouring water.
I turned the knob and barged in. My heart stopped at seeing Max's slumped figure, leaning closed eyed against the corner of the shower cabin, water streaming over his naked skin.
"Max!"
The glass doors clanged as I opened them to get to him as fast as possible.
He startled awake.
"Jesus Christ, Aiden! Wanna give me a heart attack or something?"
"I'm giving you a heart attack?" I yelled at him, my legs becoming wobblier than his had been as my brain registered that he was fine. "Why the hell are you sleeping in the shower?"
YOU ARE READING
Shift
Romance[Formerly: Tight Bonds] Aiden is an accomplished nurse. Being a rock to his friends and life companion, John, comes naturally to him. His ability to cope is challenged when John gets into an accident with serious consequences. John has always strugg...
